NDCA Updates Age Classifications and Pre-Teen Costuming Rules

Author

American Ballroom Company

Published

Jan 26, 2012

Age classifications, "a" through "f-(3)", will become effective on the individual's actual birthday. On a year where a competitor is going to move from one classification to the next they may make this change anytime during a 60 day period that begins 30 days prior to their birthday and ends 30 days following there birthday.
1. Pre-Teen I: 9th birthday or less
2. Pre-Teen II: 10th or 11th birthday
3. Junior I: 12th or 13th birthday
4. Junior II: 14th or 15th birthday
5. Youth: 16th, 17th or 18th birthday
6. Adult: 19th birthday or greater

For the calendar year 2012 competitors may choose to compete in the age classifications that were in force during the 2011 calendar year if they wish instead of the age classifications above. The 2011 age definitions were as follows:

Age classifications, "a" through "f-(3)", will become effective on January 1st of the year in which the individual's classification age is attained regardless of the actual birthdate.
1. Pre-Teen I: 9th birthday or less
2. Pre-Teen II: 10th or 11th birthday
3. Junior I: 12th or 13th birthday
4. Junior II: 14th or 15th birthday
5. Youth: 16th, 17th or 18th birthday
6. Adult: 19th birthday or greater

b. Girls
(1) Skirt with top or simple dress with attached under garment or leotard top with full skirt

(2) Skirts
(a) Plain or pleated with minimum 1 to maximum 3 half circles. One plain simple underskirt allowed which is no larger or longer than top layer, and is the same or similar color as the outer skirt
(b) No uneven hem lines, use of boning, frills, splits, openings, fishing line, or edging (including "lettuce edging"). Edging or trim of any kind, including ribbon, satin, lace, sequins, etc, is not allowed. A simple hem is required.
(c) Length of skirt must not be shorter than 3 inches above the knee cap and no longer than 3 inches below the knee cap

(3) Bodice
(a) Necklines: Boat, high neck, v-neck, sweetheart, 'peter pan' collar, and regular collar are allowed. Edging or trim of any kind, including ribbon, satin, lace, sequins, etc, is not allowed on the neckline
(b) Gathering or shirring on the bodice is not allowed
(c) Edging or trim on the bodice is not allowed

(5) Materials
(a) Fabrics MUST be only one color throughout
(b) No glitter, metallic thread, or fabric creating pattern effects'
(c) No use of feathers, fringes, bows, belts, frills or sequins
(d) No flesh color fabric
(e) Any use of color coordinated 'see through' fabric must be lined from waist to shoulder; for use on arms no lining is needed
(f) Satin or lace (or similar fabric) is not allowed. Lycra, Spandex, Polyester, plain velvet, and jersey is encouraged.

(6) Shoes and Socks
(a) Shoes - Heel height not to exceed 1.5 inches, and must be block heel style if a dance shoe. If the shoe comes with rhinestones on the buckle then they are allowed. If the shoe comes with glitter on the shoe then it is allowed.
(b) Socks: White ankle socks (may have a small amount of lace), flesh colored pantyhose, or light pink or white tights must be worn.
(c) No Fishnet Tights

(7) Accessories, jewelry, and makeup
(a) No use of arm bands, chokers or headbands
(b) No decoration is allowed on dress or in hair
(c) No jewelry is allowed, other than one small earring in each ear
(d) No makeup allowed
(e) Use of fake eyelashes, fake fingernails, colored or glitter hair spray is forbidden

c. For pre-teen one-dance or two-dance events, competition organizers may require that the
shirts/tops be white and the trousers/skirts be black.